HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing

#25 Reducing your risk of cancer

In Ireland, 1 in 2 people will develop cancer at some stage of their life. Cancer prevention and early diagnosis are key to reducing the burden of cancer in Ireland.
Listen to Consultant in public health Dr Triona McCarthy at the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) discuss steps you can take to reduce your risk of cancer and the healthy lifestyle choices you can make to help.  
Triona also explains that not all cancers can be prevented; each individual’s risk of getting cancer is influenced by a wide range of factors. But she adds that there are steps we can take to reduce the risk of many cancers. Making healthy lifestyle choices not only reduces the risk of cancer, but also helps improve general health. 
Dr McCarthy works with the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme, which established and coordinates the Irish Cancer Prevention Network (ICPN). ,ICPN member organisations work together to support and collaborate on cancer risk reduction initiatives. Together, they provide a trusted source of information for the public by converting the knowledge gained through research, surveillance and outcome evaluation into strategies and actions for the prevention of cancer in Ireland. 
There are now more than 200,000 people living with and beyond cancer in Ireland. The number of survivors is predicted to double over the next 25 years, mainly due to improvements in early detection, effective cancer treatment and new developments in treatment.
 
Further Information
www.hse.ie/cancerprevention
 
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#24 Healthy Campus

Listen to the latest episode which delves into the area of the Healthy Campus work underway in third-level institutions across the country. Under the Higher Education Healthy Campus Charter and Framework led by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), this sector continues to increase its delivery of health and wellbeing work in conjunction with the Department of Health, Healthy Ireland. Our guests are Martina Mullin from Trinity College Dublin and Dr. Teresa Hurley from Technological University Dublin, who share their insights and learning from their on the ground work with host Fergal Fox. As a setting, higher education has huge potential, to not only improve health and wellbeing but also improve academic performance, students' sense of belonging, improve staff-student relationships, reduce stress and link to any number of priority issues for young adults and staff. Many of these benefits are discussed and given real world examples in the podcast.
 
A Healthy Campus ‘adopts a holistic understanding of health, takes a whole campus approach and aspires to create a learning environment and organisational culture that enhances the health and wellbeing of its community and enables people to achieve their full potential’. It’s about moving away from a focus only on individuals to ensure we are creating campuses that are conducive and supportive to health and wellbeing, a whole campus approach. This includes how health can be supported through teaching and learning, leadership, governance and strategy, student services, the physical environment, and campus culture. It aims to foster an ethos of care, compassion, and inclusion on campuses. The Healthy Campus Process, contained in the Framework, outlines an inclusive, coordinated approach to improving health and wellbeing. To find out more about the work underway in this area see the HEA’s Healthy Campus webpage.
 
The HEA oversees the strategic development of the Irish higher education and research system, with responsibility for the effective governance and regulation of higher education institutions and the higher education system. As well as responsibility for the Healthy Campus Framework, the HEA also oversees the implementation of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework.
 
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#23 Healthy Lunchboxes for Kids

The latest HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast talks about Healthy Lunchboxes for Kids and much more.
 
With school routines starting again and parents getting to grips with what to put into those lunchboxes and what to avoid. Marian McBride, Dietetic Lead, HSE Health & Wellbeing discusses the importance of a balanced diet to ensure children develop a healthy relationship with food.
 
With tips on how to introduce healthier foods into children’s daily diets. Marian gives ideas on what to include, recognising that parents are busy, she explains that it’s about frequency and taking those different opportunities to introduce healthier options.
 
For more information and ideas visit: https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/healthy-eating
 
Please get in touch to find out more about our podcast series or the work of HSE Health and Wellbeing Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie 
 
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#22 Alcohol & Pregnancy

In this podcast two experts discuss Alcohol and Pregnancy. Dr Mary O’Mahony, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Professor Maeve Eogan, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist talk to podcast host Noreen Turley about a range of issues involved including Foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD Awareness Day is the 9th of September 2023. 
 
They discuss the difficulties that some women face giving up alcohol while pregnant and the importance of providing consistent messaging to women. The clear message is that No amount of alcohol at any stage of pregnancy is safe for your baby and if you have had a drink stopping as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed is the best thing for your developing baby.
 
Maeve says that “We want to support women who find having an alcohol free pregnancy difficult without the‘blame and shame culture’ this can prevent women asking for help. Health care professionals need to have clear communication and have those challenging conservations with women so that we can provide support to women.” 
 
Mary explains that “The reality is that anytime alcohol is consumed during pregnancy, it passes from your blood stream through the placenta to your baby. Even a small amount of alcohol can harm a baby’s development and may have lifelong effects. But stopping drinking alcohol at any stage of pregnancy is of benefit to the baby.”
 
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD experience lifelong challenges and need support with their physical health. They may struggle with learning, memory, attention, communication, emotional regulation, and social skills. FASD Awareness Day is the 9th of September 2023. 
 
For further information and tips for not drinking during pregnancy contact the Drug and Alcohol Helpline on 1800 459 459 or visit  https://www2.hse.ie/pregnancy-birth/keeping-well/food-drink/alcohol/ and https://www2.hse.ie/my-child/
 
 
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#21 Positive Mental Health

In this episode we talk to HSE Health Promotion and Improvement Officers, Olive Fanning and Anne Marie Murphy, about Positive Mental Health and the HSE’s Minding Your Wellbeing programme which is available through a series of 5 videos along with other mental health supports on www.yourmentalhealth.ie. Hosted by Fergal Fox, they discuss the programme and many of the terms and concepts used in the field of Positive Psychology such as Self-Care, Resilience, Positive Relationships, Mindfulness and how we need to Manage Our Thoughts. Both Anne Marie and Olive have significant experience of delivering this evidenced based programme face to face to HSE staff and they offer their insights, giving listeners lots to reflect on in terms of how they mind their own mental wellbeing.
 
The Minding Your Wellbeing Programme Support Booklet is also highlighted in the podcast as a useful practical tool for people who are working to improve their mental wellbeing and is  available via www.healthpromotion.ie.
 
Please get in touch to find out more about our podcast series or the work of HSE Health and Wellbeing Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie 
 
 
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#20 Parents Matter

In this episode, we speak to Professor Bobby Smyth, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, on the role of parents in the area of substance prevention and education, as part of an ongoing campaign ‘Parents Matter’ to promote information about substances and how to engage children and young people on this matter. Families have the potential to act as a major protective force in the lives of children and adolescents. Mutually supportive family relationships generally influence the prevention of substance use among young people.
 
In the podcast we hear about the current drug and alcohol landscape, including the latest drug trends and how parents can help in supporting healthy decision making by their children. Professor Smyth also discusses the reasons why we seek to delay or avoid young people’s entry into the world of alcohol and drug use and the steps which parents can take to reduce the likelihood that their son or daughter develops a substance use problem. Hosted by Noreen Turley.
 
To find out more information and the support options for concerned parents in their local area, visit: https://www.drugs.ie/drugs_info/for_parents_carers/resources_for_parents/
 
As we have reached the final episode of series one of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, we would like to take the opportunity to thank all involved and in particular, thank the listeners for their engagement and support throughout our first series. We would like to invite you to take a quick survey where we would appreciate if you could provide some feedback for us to consider ahead of commencing series two of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HWpodcast/
 
Please get in touch to find out more about our podcast series or the work of HSE Health and Wellbeing Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie 
 
 
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#19 HSE Active Workplaces

In this episode we talk to Eimear Cotter, Project Manager, Healthy Eating Active Living Programme, HSE Health & Wellbeing and Dan Russell, Health Promotion & Improvement Officer, HSE, Dublin South, Kildare & West Wicklow Community Healthcare, about active workplaces and the importance of physical activity. Eimear discusses the physical activity guidelines, the risks associated with sedentary behaviour in the workplace and why movement breaks are so important to incorporate as part of our daily routine. Dan shares his experiences about the HSE Steps to Health challenge, which is an internal initiative aimed at encouraging and supporting staff to be more active. Hosted by Eamon Keogh.
 
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#18 HSE Safer Nightlife Programme

In this episode we talk to Nicki Killeen, Project Manager working on HSE Emerging Drugs Trends, we hear all about the HSE Safer Nightlife Programme which was set up to reduce the harm of drugs used in “nightlife” settings and at music festivals in particular. Nicki shares her insights on the pilot work done at the Electric Picnic Music Festival last year and the work underway at this year’s summer music festivals to support people around their risk taking behaviours and to gather samples of drugs for checking. This ‘back of house’ approach allows for drugs to be gathered and analysed through “surrender bins” and supports the team to identify substances of concern, provide real time information in relation to drugs circulating and engage with festival goers to reduce drug-related harms. Nicki explains how the teams of drugs.ie volunteers work at the festivals to build up trust and engage with those attending to complete brief interventions. For more information go to www.drugs.ie.
 
Please get in touch to find out more about our podcast series or the work of HSE Health and WellbeingHealthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie .
 
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#17 Healthy Workplaces

In this episode we talk Healthy Workplaces with Biddy O’Neill from Healthy Ireland in the Department of Health. The discussion covers the background to the Healthy Workplace Framework – Healthy Ireland at Work, and why and how the recently launched Healthy Workplace Website will guide workplaces on the best things they can do to develop and improve the wellbeing of their staff. Biddy  shares her insights into the potential of Healthy Workplaces, what the evidence tells us and what they hope to achieve with the new website as a one stop shop for workplaces, with lots of resources to signpost and support. Hosted by Fergal Fox. Check out the new Healthy Ireland at Work website at: www.healthyworkplace.ie
 
Please get in touch with Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie for further information.
 
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#16 Choose Screening

In this episode, host Fergal Fox talks to Fiona Murphy, Chief Executive of the HSE National Screening Service (NSS) and Grace Rattigan, one of their Patient and Public Partnership representatives about the importance of the four national screening programmes to help prevent or recognise disease early when it is easier to treat. Screening saves lives and the NSS recently launched their new strategy ‘Choose Screening’, putting engagement with people to the forefront of how they do their work. Fiona talks about the significance of this person-centred approach, the journey of the development of the strategy and how the NSS aims to ensure that screening is an informed-choice for people. Grace shares her experience of becoming an ambassador for screening promotion, and speaks about how worthwhile and empowering it has been as a member of the NSS Patient and Public Partnership to help shape the development of the service. For more on the HSE National Screening Service go to: www.screeningservice.ie
 
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